The dateline of Dart’s letter tells part of the day’s story. It says “Camp Elliott, San Diego.” It’s there that he sits waiting for tomorrow, for that’s the day he expects his orders, train tickets and leave documents to be delivered. He could  get as many as five days in Cleveland, but more probably, three or four. Either way, he’s coming home!

The office at Camp Elliott claims that Dart is within 45 days of his discharge and as such has been deemed a P.C. (Privileged Character), along with most of his fire control group. That means they  “stand no muster, do no work, have liberty continuously, and are in all other ways treated grandly.”  Dart suspects the Navy is trying to atone for all the dirty tricks they’ve pulled thus far, hoping to polish their image so that when the boys get home, if they find adjustment to civilian life too difficult, they’ll consider joining the regular Navy.

The food is excellent, there is music and news programming provided over the PA system, everyone is treated with good humor and respect, but Dart is cynical. He’s taking it all with “the proverbial pinch of salt multiplied a hundred times into a cupful.”

Blevins is still 90 days from discharge, so he won’t be going home on leave and is not considered a PC. Therefore, they decided to take one last liberty together tonight. They stopped to visit Ira Cotton who was not at home, so they left word of Dart’s good fortune and went to see a stage show.

Dart is pinching himself at this grand surprise. He’s having a hard time believing that the John R Craig is 100 miles out to sea, and he’s not on her. Just a few days ago they were all told to prepare for a trip to Shanghai. Then came the word that “a few men” would be pulled off the ship. When it finally came to pass,  60 were dismissed, their sea duty having come to an end!

Looking ahead to his hoped-for leave, he tells Dot he’ll be terribly disappointed if she doesn’t come into Cleveland to spend the weekend with him and his family. (Does he really think there’s any force on Earth that could keep her away?)

From her recent letter, it sounds as though she and Janie made themselves useful in “hampering the course of human nature the night of the big dance. “Shame on you,” he teases. “Remember how we felt when a man said ‘Let’s go!”? He looks forward to seeing her newly designed room when he’s in town.

There is so much they have to look forward to. One of them is a formal occasion so he can see her all dressed up and she can see how his neck sticks out in a tuxedo. Thinking of such things reminds him how much fun it is to be in love.

He’s a little shocked that the boys failed to bring flowers to their dates for a formal dance. “Must be something they forgot during their time in the service.” He assures her that, while his manners may need some re-polishing, they have not slipped as far as that!

He’s sorry she was feeling so blue for a long time, but she should never apologize for telling him anything that’s on her mind or in her heart. Writing about these things is part of what makes them feel so close when they are together. “Sharing everything with you is part of my love for you.”

“You mentioned that there are things you don’t understand about the way things are and must be until we’re married, the day you went to church. Can you tell me what they are? I feel the same way at times, and maybe it’s about the same things. If so, maybe we can to someone for help or solve the riddle for ourselves,”

He likes the ideas that she and Miss Van Campen discussed about tailoring a course load that is just right for Dot and her goals. He’s grateful that a professor has taken such a personal interest in Dot and hopes he’ll find someone who can help him design the perfect college path for him.

He’s feeling so good at this moment and believes it must be all the Lucky packages they’ve stepped on. He cannot wait for tomorrow and the next several days to get here.

“I love you very much, Dot. Can’t express my longing in any other way tonight. It’s been so long since I was able to that I hope I haven’t lost my technique.”

There are no letters tomorrow from either party, but Dart will return on the 9th. See you then.